Have You Ever Felt

Have you ever felt

On the edge of life but not quite part of it?

Like happiness is at your fingertips

But just beyond your grasp?

Have you ever felt

That you were looking in

From a cold night

Through a lighted window

At a warm room

Where smiling people

Share a meal and a drink,

Music and affectionate companionship?

That maybe you could go inside,

Be a part of it,

If only you had the courage

To ring the damn doorbell?

Have you ever felt like a child

In a world full of grownups

All beautiful and accomplished,

Intelligent and articulate?

That anything you have to say

Is so elementary to them?

That to them inevitably

You are only a child?

An orphaned child

Who never has and never will know

The love and warmth of family?

Have you wondered how much

You’ll ever truly matter to another?

How much you can accomplish in life?

If you understand what I say,

You know how easy it is to despair.

You learn to function despite those demons

You and I share.

You keep a stiff upper lip.

You carry on, but they’re always there.

The darkness resurfaces now and then

And you don’t even know why.

I wish I could meet and talk with you

And together we could keep them at bay.

If you don’t understand,

And I hope you never do,

Sympathize and be kind because

You never know what lies

Deep beneath the surface

Of those you encounter on any ordinary day.